All these little girls are strong, capable, and totally badass — but, disturbingly, they’re also all almost completely silent… We, as audiences, have the power to encourage Hollywood to give these little girls their voices by demanding change. When we watch yet another movie or TV show with a strong, silent young heroine, let’s stop idolizing her, and instead ask the writers behind her why she doesn’t get to speak her piece. — Rachel Simon, Bustle. Read More:

I love this idea that you’ve got a sword in one hand and a baby on your hip. You had to keep up with the men because there’s no room on a ship for ornaments—but we only know about the ones they caught. There may have been scores of pirate women who lived and died that we just don’t know about. — Laura Sook Duncombe with Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian. (Thanks to Lulu Jemimah) Read more: